The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop | Peter Girguis

Long before trees and grass, microbes were shaping our atmosphere. Evolutionary biologist Peter Girguis explains how ancient bacteria learned to split water for energy, and why their waste product changed Earth forever.For more, check out the extended interview with Peter Girguis.Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

What this episode covers

Long before trees and grass, microbes were shaping our atmosphere. Evolutionary biologist Peter Girguis explains how ancient bacteria learned to split water for energy, and why their waste product changed Earth forever. For more, check out the extended interview with Peter Girguis. Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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This episode was published on April 22, 2026.

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